Nte display systems and methods with optical trackers

Abstract

An optical tracker system is provided for tracking a location and orientation of a first object. The system includes a prediction module configured to determine a predicted location and orientation of the first object as a spatial prediction; a display module configured to generate display commands for a fiducial symbol based on the spatial prediction; a display unit configured to display the fiducial symbol based on the display commands; a camera unit configured to capture an image of the fiducial symbol displayed on the display device as a captured appearance; and a position determination module coupled to the camera unit and configured to receive the image from camera unit. The position determination module is configured to identify the fiducial symbol and determine the location and the orientation of the first object based on the captured appearance of the fiducial symbol.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention generally relates to near-to-eye (NTE) display systems and methods, and more particularly relates to NTE display systems and methods with improved high speed, high precision optical trackers.BACKGROUND[0002]In recent years, near-to-eye (NTE) display systems have been developed and are becoming increasingly popular. Depending upon the particular end-use environment, these systems include NTE display units coupled to a helmet or headset of a user, and thus move with the changing location and angular orientation of the user's head. This advantageously allows the displayed information to be visible to the user regardless of the position, i.e. location and / or orientation of the head. It may thus be appreciated that tracking arrangements function to determine the location and orientation of the head in one or more degrees-of-freedom (e.g., x, y, and z, and pitch, yaw, and roll) in order to enable the overall functionality of an NTE display system...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes an optical tracker system that allows for the tracking of an object's location and orientation. The system includes a prediction module that determines where the object is likely to be located, a display module that shows a fiducial symbol based on the prediction, a camera unit that captures an image of the fiducial symbol, and a position determination module that analyzes the image and identifies the object. The system can also generate command signals to display the fiducial symbol on a display device and show associated symbology based on the object's location and orientation. Overall, this technology can be utilized in various applications such as augmented reality and virtual reality.

Problems solved by technology

Known tracking technologies include inertial, magnetic, ultrasonic, and camera-based optical systems, although many such systems may be relatively complex, heavy, expensive, and / or lack satisfactory performance capabilities.

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